October 7, 2008

Aviagen expands feed mill capabilities at Alabama facility 

Aviagen has recently completed an expansion to its feed processing facility in Athen, Alabama.

The multi-million-dollar expansion modified the facility to enable the manufacturing of feed for use on Aviagen's internal poultry production farms.

The feed processing facility was originally constructed in 1999 to produce pathogen-free feed for Aviagen's internal farms. Prescribed mixed feed diets were purchased from an outside source and then stored before being transferred into a biosecure processing structure where applied thermal and mechanical energies produced biosecure, salmonella-free feed. The complete pelleted and pathogen-free feed was then sent to a biosecure storage building before being shipped to Aviagen farms across North America.

With this expansion, Aviagen is now able to buy high-quality raw ingredients directly from manufacturers and produce the feed internally.

All equipment was sourced and designed to generate precise, uniform feed. The accuracy and consistency of the new batching facility enhances Aviagen's existing, one-of-a-kind feed processing unit to provide the very best feed for its internal poultry production farms.

Aviagen director of feed production, Richard Obermeyer said the sourcing of their own raw ingredients, coupled with the design of the batching facility would produce a more consistent, better quality feed at the most competitive price.